The TOP

We got there just before 5pm. They didn't seem that crowded but it took about 10 minutes to be seated. The parking situation isn't too good. You're lucky if you can find a spot on the street. There is indoor and outdoor seating. We stayed inside since it was kinda warm out. We ordered drinks first. The waiter was friendly. We looked over the menu. The interior was dimly lit. There's a decent selection of choices on the menu. There is another whole menu for the drinks at the bar; many specialty drinks. We all ordered a meal and the food arrived timely and no complaints. We enjoyed our time at the Top. We'd go back.

Recommended to me by a friend, and did not disappoint. Reasonable prices, Excellent food. Fun atmosphere. Great service. The corn nuggets are a must.

Been going to this place for almost 20 years amazing food great place. The only thing I would say to anyone that goes to any restaurant. Do not assume the person waiting/ serving you owes you any thing but the job they are supposed to do. I say this with love. Because if you come into this wonderful restaurant with an air of entitlement it will not go over well. Which is why I love this restaurant. Helen Scott, I built something amazing as far as a place. And a that welcomes everyone. As long as you're you understand, you're only as welcome as long as you don't think that you're better than anyone else that is there 😘

Not many places in Gainesville get 5 stars from me - but this place was cool. Great atmosphere, incredible food, cocktails were on point, and friendly service. A bit loud, but it simply was a great time. Have driven by it for years, never even knowing it was there. I will be back.

I was really hopeful about this spot. Most college town restaurants tend to be overrated due to the inebriated clientele… after a long night of partying just about anything seems to get 5 stars. I’ll say this was pleasantly surprised with the diversity of the menu and with a little extra execution on the food prep, this place would easily get to 4.5-5 stars. The steak au poivre picanha was really tough and under seasoned. The temperature was perfect though. The tur-duc-ken was over cooked and dry but the ingredient pairings were genius. The San Diego chicken fell victim to the same oven… dry and lacked seasoning. The hummingbird cake was delightful. Our waiter was great and once seated service was fairly quick. Just a little more tlc on the entree prep and finishing and this place could claim the high rating it has. Would love to try it again after some adjustments.

Great place to grab a drink with friends! I went here for my birthday with some friends and family from Portland Oregon when they came to visit. I was absolutely hammered. We had a great time. Are great food. And played a little pool. In the spring this place is wonderful for the outdoor patio. The food is relatively affordable all things considered. I believe most locals would call this place a staple to the bar community for the Gainesville area. Love it! It’s called the top for a reason!

A local sent us there and so glad she did! Great food, great atmosphere and Raquel was fabulous!

Atmosphere was fun, all types of people visiting, as well as a great group of employees. The food was FANTASTIC, huge variety of vegan, vegetarian and carnivore dishes. We had a short wait to be seated, our server was attentive, and or food came out quickly. Will definitely visit again.

Oh, The Top, how I love you! I feel like growing up in Gainesville, it's alway been a staple but it wasn't always for me. When I was younger I didn't love the food and the service was spotty. Now it is my favorite place to eat and go to for date night! The cravings can be strong so beware! Lol The service has tremendously turned around over the years. I love the specials and the food in general. Every once in a while something will be off but it's more rare than not. My favorite things to order are the chimichurri grill with blackened salmon and the ancho grill with rare blackened tuna! Their haricot verts are my favorite side! All their sauces are homemade, which I love! They have a lot of Vegan and vegetarian options. Dont skip the dessert here they are worth every calorie! They also have good items for kids too! Some nights they have entertainment like magic mike. They have the best basil martinis and espresso martinis! I love the specialty frozen drinks. It can get busy but the wait is worth it. Give it a try!

The Top Restaurant in Gainesville has an eclectic vibe that's hard to miss. The decor is quirky, giving the place a unique character. It's a popular spot among locals, and I can see why. However, my experience was a bit of a mixed bag. The menu offers a variety of options including vegan choices, but the execution felt off and at least 1 on the vegan choices had no meat eater option (Cheesesteak). The dishes were tasty, but then again how can you mess up a burger. The execution on mine was a bit off though, as I was expecting some softer toast with my patty melt. The prices are a bit on the higher side, which made me expect greater execution. Service was friendly and fast which was suprising, because the place was packed. It's a place with potential, but guaging from at least 1 other review, it may need to grow on you. Overall, The Top is a decent place for a casual meal, but don't set your expectations too high. It has its charm, but it also has room for improvement.

The top was one of the first restaurants I experienced when I arrived in Gainesville for the first time during COVID. We ordered take out and for about two years afterwards I described the top as an overpriced Applebee's. Our friends invited us there for a thank you dinner and I reluctantly agreed after hearing so many positive things. The food is great, and nothing like Applebee's. They offer a ton of vegetarian and vegan options. Their cocktails are amazing and made well. I recommend The Top, but haven't done take out with them since 2021...

Came here during Fest. Our group had been hearing about The Top for years (especially peanut butter pie) but none had been so we made a reservation for Thursday night (A+++ choice). Immediately sat at our table, quickly served and the food was all excellent. The waiter was nice enough to take a group photo of us all since we'd just gotten into town and seeing we were a large group, split the check separately for all of us without asking. Headed to a show, we were so stuffed from dinner, we opted not to have dessert, but came back late night on Sunday to complete the mission. I am INCREDIBLY SERIOUS about the chocolate peanut butter combo, and this pie lived up to the hype, the best CPB Pie I've ever had and I'd 10/10 return just for that. Loved that they were open late for stuff like this.

How can anyone NOT go to the top?! Like it's one of the places you have to take people who are from out of town to! I love this place from the moment we moved here 12 years ago and someone who was from Gainesville introduced me to it. The vibes are 100, the food is 100 and the fact that they have great vegan/vegetarian eats is a major plus for me and the drinks are 100! Service and staff are always nice and welcoming! Like this place always has good energy, great place for a date night, girls night, bros night or just about any night! Definitely no complaints here!!!

Late review, visited last year with my partner and got a seat a the bar. Food and drinks were wonderful. Can't wait to visit again!

Was in need of a place to get some food and drinks late at night and stumbled across The Top at around midnight. We each ordered a burger and fries, and 3 drinks total, and the total came out to around 70, so it was pretty pricey for two people. The food itself was good, I definitely recommend the corn nuggets with their garlic dip - so delicious! The drinks were definitely strong, the bartender was pretty heavy handed with the shots but we tried the Panhandler, the Swan, and the Cucumber. Definitely recommend the Panhandler if you want a sweeter/fruitier drink! Overall great environment and the vibes inside were super cool, especially with the dim lighting! Just watch your wallet as it can get pricey quickly once you're a drink or two in!

A must eat place! We stopped here during a day trip to Gainesville and I am soooo glad we did! This was recommended to us and now I am recommending it to you! First off, do be prepared for a wait. We arrived around 5:30pm and waited for about 30 minutes, but as we were leaving they were quoting more than an hour for an indoor seat (it was rather cold outside so I am sure the inside was more popular). They use a text system so you can always explore the surrounding area a bit while you wait. The inside is super charming and eclectic. The lighting is low and the volume was reasonable inside. It was super cozy and I loved just admiring the decor inside. Our server was great and very attentive. Now onto the best part, the food! The food was amazing! I am still thinking about the Gnocchi Carbonara The gnocchi was pillowy and soft, the sauce was creamy and flavorful. It was just delicious. I also really enjoyed the sweet potato fries and corn nuggets. They tasted fresh and were a great start to a wonderful meal. My boyfriend got the Southwestern Pasta, and it was ssppiicccyyy! It had a wonderful flavor but it was way way too spicy for me. I had a small taste of the sauce and could tell it was going to be intense. However, he thoroughly enjoyed it and loved all the flavor. Although he was definitely feeling the heat by the end! A great experience with wonderful food! I will definitely be back if I am ever in Gainesville again!

Just had dinner with a party of 8 for my son's graduation. We were seated promptly. We all ordered multiple appetizers ( nachos , cauliflower and corn dogs. For the main entree we had burgers other plates. Overall this was a good experience with good food and good service. Their beer selection is pretty good.

I recently moved to Gainesville about a month ago. When my father and sister popped by tonight to see my new spot, I knew I had to give them a taste of what this town had to offer. When I asked my newfound Gainesville friends where I should take them, they pointed me straight to The Top, and boy did they deliver. The vibe here is a perfect blend of modern and eclectic-- sleek yet uniquely quirky, making it ideal for a date night, a hangout with friends, or a family dinner. It's definitely one of those spots where you walk in and immediately feel like you're part of the local scene. We kicked things off with their sea salt sweet potato fries, which, let me tell you, were hands down the best I've ever had. Crispy, seasoned just right, and perfectly sweet--these are not to be missed. For the main event, I opted for the San Diego Chicken Entree. This dish was a culinary masterpiece: an all-natural breaded chicken breast stuffed with rosemary, crab, corn, and smoked Gouda, all smothered in a spicy tomato tequila sauce. It came with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli that rounded out the meal. To say it was divine would be an understatement. My family also ordered the Southwestern Pasta and the Mushroom Ravioli. Both were stellar, but the Mushroom Ravioli emerged as the crowd favorite among us, even though it was sadly a bit on the smaller side compared to the other dishes. For dessert, we shared the Peanut Butter Pie and the Carrot Cranberry Cake. If there's one thing I'll remember vividly, it's the Carrot Cake. I'd go back just to get another slice--seriously, it was made in house and was truly that good. Honestly, everything was fairly priced and delicious. The service at The Top was top-notch. Our waiter was not only kind and informative but also ensured our glasses were always full. Our food arrived in a timely manner and the only regret I have is not having any room left to try out one of their signature burgers--which apparently The Top is known for. I saw a few go by and couldn't help but drool. I'll definitely be back to try one for myself soon. Overall, The Top is a gem and in only one visit has already become one of my favorite local spots in Gainesville. I can't wait to dive into the rest of the menu and explore their cocktail options next time. If you're ever in Gainesville, make sure to stop by--you won't be disappointed.

Super cute spot with major mood lighting! If that's not your jam be prepared or sit outside. They have a text when ready for seating so you can walk around. Food was good, the veggies were cold but I still ate them so they were that good! Our sever Eric was friendly and timely.

Date night. This restaurant is the perfect date night spot to have yummy bar food and get creative and fun drinks. We ordered 4 different types of drinks and the bartenders were very generous because the drinks were strong. Which is much appreciated We enjoyed a delicious steak with chimichurri sauce deliciously complimenting the meal. We are soccer fans and were so happy to see the messi burger as an option. It was an Argentinian themed burger. We also ordered the nachos as an appetizer and was fresh and perfect for sharing. This restaurant is decorated head to toe which adds to the hipster aesthetic of the restaurant. We definitely recommend a visit to the Top.

I came in on a Sunday evening with a part of 8. We were quoted 45 minutes and it actually ended up being 25. Our server was attentive and kind. I ordered the top salad with tuna. Everyone else enjoyed their meals. I will be back as always.

Cannot say enough good things about the top. They have amazing appetizers and soooo many plant based options! My favorite is the chimichurri tofu, veggie burger, and the amazing vegan nachos. They even have a magician on Wednesdays! Giving them 4 stars because they do not accept reservations and I have been very frustrated with that on numerous occasions- but the food is AMAZING and it's fun to go to Arcade Bar across the street while you wait.

One of our favorite places in Gainesville. The drinks are delicious. Service is great. Love the cozy atmosphere. My steak is always cooked to perfection.

YES, YES, YES!!! Love coming here. Do yourself a favor and have the corn nuggets! There is also an outside area with a bar and pool table. Parking is street parking.

Didn't wait long for a table once we got seated honestly that's where I would say the service took forever just to get a waiter. Seems like a lot of staff but a bit confused or all over the place. Once we got our drink order in we waited to see when he would come back to take our food order but had to wait again. Got half our drink order since he forgot what even ordered. Then we finally ordered our food and after that we only saw our waiter again for the bill. Food: I ordered the Southwestern Pasta it was good but honestly was missing salt or some seasoning. Probably would be good if you add a chicken or shrimp with it. Other than it was good.

been here three times in the past month, received terrible service from bartender named Gabby all 3 times. she ignored my friends and i, then begrudgingly served us after we waved her down. every time she's been so rude and disrespectful, snatching cards from our hands then slamming our checks on the counter without ever saying a word to us. I wanted to let this go the first time because everyone has a bad shift every now and then but after 3 separate occasions i can't excuse it anymore. Jonathan had to pick up her slack with our party and gave us wonderful serve and even apologized on her behalf, he's the only reason i'm coming back. every time i see Gabby working i consider leaving because of how she made my friends and I feel.

As an alumni who hasn't been back in town for quite some time, I had to dine at The Top, which was my all-time fave back in the day. It did not disappoint. For me, this was the epitome of hipster and still is. If you like the idea of eating great food inside a dark (but clean) thrift store, check it out. Firstly, I HIGHLY recommend reservations if they even allow them since we thought we were going late enough on Friday night for dinner (8:30pm) to not need them, but ended up waiting close to 2 hours. It was worth it! The menu changed slightly, like they no longer serve pretzel buns, and corn nuggets aren't allowed as a 'side' instead of fries anymore, but the Widowmaker burger did not disappoint. The corn nuggets are still available as an app and you basically have to get them. I was really impressed with how much they've elevated and expanded the menu. Lots of really gourmet options I'd love to try on my next visit. The vibes, as always, were still immaculate and I noticed they have opened a backyard outdoor patio that I'll have to check out next time. Everyone loved what they ordered!

We got there at 5PM when they opened. It was the Gator football home opener. There was a line of about 20 ahead of us. We were sat pretty quickly even with the line. I like to try new things so I started with the Smokin Devil. The drink definitely has a bite so if you don't like spicy or peppery stay away. My wife planned on having a few at the game so she wanted to start off with something light. She got a Panhandler. We didn't want to get too much food since we were gonna sit in Ben Hill for a couple hours after dinner. We split the Gnocchi Carbonara and an order of Mumbo chicken tenders. I asked the server if I should add any protein to the gnocchi. He said most people don't so we didn't. I'm glade we got the order of tenders. I mixed the two together and it was great. I ordered a side garden salad. It never came but that's okay because we had enough food. It wasn't on the bill so no harm no foul. I don't usually drink in the stadium so I can make the 1.5 hr drive home so I had an Espresso martini for dessert. It was pretty good. I liked it more than the Smokin Devil. We'll definitely be back.

I've been going to the Top for over 20 years. Always a good choice for good food and beverages. Great atmosphere. Great staff. It does get busy sometimes. Don't sleep on the vegan chocolate cake.

So my friend and I decided to catch up and grab dinner and she mentioned eating at The Top because of an entree she loved from this place. Since moving back, I have been collecting local gems to explore so needless to say I was all in for this spot! When we arrived, I loved the ambiance as the environment gives such a Seattle vibe. I would've not guessed I was in Gainesville. The hostesses were very welcoming and nice as we asked to be sat on the patio. I loved the lighting and picnic tables, everything felt so warm. For drinks we both ordered espresso martinis, to our surprise it was garnished with a lemon rind. It kind of threw me off, since typically espresso martinis are garnished with coffee beans. However, after removing it the martini wasn't bad and you could taste the vanilla vodka infused into the espresso. Since my girl talked up this chimichurri steak, I had to get it! I ordered my steak medium with garlic mashed potatoes, and a Caesar salad. Also I copied my friend and got a mushroom sauce...and this took the steak to another level. I will definitely be back for this steak as it was perfectly cooked and just melted in your mouth! However, for our service, our waiter was nice but the service was horrible. We waited for about 25+ minutes for our drinks to come out and we felt like he forgot about us at one point. Fortunately, we were just having a chill night. I will have to say my friend was right about this steak and I can't wait to come back to try more dishes!

The whole restaurant had a rancid background odor. The Ancho Picanha steak that I ordered medium rare was nearly raw, tough as an old shoe, and 1/3 of it was fat rind. The pepper cream sauce was runny and flavorless, and the mango salsa was borderline rotten mush. To add insult to injury, I could have had two mediocre but edible Outback steaks for the price of the worthless picanha. Service was so slow that I gave up ordering a second beer.

Best meal ever. 12/10 The dish is truly outstanding, with its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The crunchy pecan coating adds a delightful twist to the tofu, making it a must-try for any food enthusiast. The ambiance at Top is equally delightful, with fun and quirky decorations that add to the overall dining experience. It's definitely the best place in Gainesville to enjoy a delicious meal in a unique setting! COME HERE

Great place to meet up and enjoy a nice meal with drinks . The staff was friendly and welcoming.

Always love the top and their food. Nothing beats the vibe on the outdoor patio with the pups.

My friend and i went there on Friday night for dinner. They don't make reservations and when we got there around 7 there was a 30 min wait for a table. We decided to sit at the bar which offered dinner menu. The food was good. Large portions. I tried grilled salmon. It definitely needed more sauce for flavor. The sweet potato fries didn't look appetizing at all since they looked brown and somewhat soggy. Overall decent place for dinner but I wouldn't go there again.

Eclectic little restaurant with dim lighting and fun vibes. Bar area on the one side but then booths and outdoor seating available. Booths I believe add to the experience of the space, providing intimacy, but not isolating, great for catching up with friends or a date night. The food itself was above average with great variety. I did order burgers both times I was there and it was cooked as requested. I ordered sweet potato fries as well, which if you like the thinner type of fries this version is for you. Got to give it a 4 for the space, food and service. I do think it stands out in the area as one of the more popular restaurants.

I can't believe I have posted a review until now. I have had various children in college, in Gainesville, since 2016. Needless to say I have been to The Top numerous times. This is the most consistently excellent restaurant ever. To start off always order a FM Vega. It is better here than at the brewery. Then get the corn nuggets or clams depending on your preference. For your main try a burger, the trout, or the steak. All are wonderful choices. Heck, my 82 year old couldn't even find something to complain about. Never had dessert here because I have always been to full. But I did have a FM honey bee citrus to finish off the evening last time and it was quite lovely.

4.9 Stars Great ambiance with intimant and mellow vibe. Great for date night. Various cocktail options and fantastic food options, at decent prices! Their angry clams and gnocchi were awesome. Both highly recommend. Not 5 stars as my burger was over cooked (asked for medium and it was very well done and dry). Also, took about 10 minutes for the server to come take our drink order after saying he was just going to take a quick lap and be right back. It was a Friday night and busy so to be slightly expected. Will be back!

Fantastic! I had the chicken Chimmichuri, garlic mash and green beans. Absolutely loved it and the seasonal strawberry cake as well.

Slow service and was placed outside after waiting over 2 hours for a table when it was cold outside because they skipped our name in the table waitlist Food and drinks were mid Giving them 2 starts instead of 1 since it was UF/FSU weekend

Two words: disjointed and inconsistent. I have been to The Top many times and have had some very nice meals and experiences and also my share of unfortunate ones. The place comes off as a kind of "campus" (the way the megachurches use it) that seems somewhat haphazardly planned out and managed, there are so many different types of seating options, all with their own regulations and varying degrees of comfort/accessibility. It is also strange to me that the whole Top operation throughout Gainesville has this total frenetic energy and they are constantly changing things up in ways that don't make sense and which make the experience and product worse. Some highlights from recent visits: -The staff behind the bar kind of just hangs out with each other, like they're having a party we were lucky to be invited to. Always a bit of an attitude and lots of side eyes, but if they know a patron you'd think you were at that person's party and you get to watch the love fest. Late night they turn the music up way too loud (terrible screamo or something of the like). They will turn it down if you ask but usually somebody goes behind them and turns it back up by the next song. Again, their party. I usually eat at the bar because the wait for tables tends to be very long. The maitre d's tend to be a little snide too. -The food is inconsistent. The last two visits, my fries were cool. The corn nuggets, which I find somewhat expensive for what they are, were so cold as to be inedible. (For some reason, sometimes they let you substitute corn nuggets for fries for no upcharge, other times it's not possible to sub them whatsoever - it's also unclear sometimes when something is gonna be an upcharge). The burgers tend to be a bit sloppy, strangely conceived and thrown together without much care. I got the datil burger (the monthly burger), which was a total grease and fat bomb and datil was an afterthought. The description was enticing enough but the execution was a catastrophe, like something from the Heart Attack Grill. They will not cook anything rare (they will let you order it, you are not getting it!). My dining companions have always liked the other entrees, though they seem to have eliminated the specials, so all I really come for is unhealthy bar food. It feels worse to indulge when the food isn't prepared excellently. -The drinks are nice and reasonably priced - lots of beer on tap and the cocktails are well made. -The place is loud and dark, though they do keep it cool (maybe that's why the food ends up so cold). -My biggest issue is probably related to accommodation. I went recently with a friend who is elderly and the maitre d' originally said it would be about a 15 minute wait, so we tried to find a place to wait, originally the seating against the wall by the bar. The stools were too high for her to sit in them safely (without feeling like she was sliding out) so we went out back and sat at the corner of the back bar. Again, there are many different types of seating, all with their own requirements, and most aren't really accommodating. After some time, the maitre d' found us and said the table would take a bit longer so we were free to keep waiting or to just stay where we were. By this point my companion was in a lot of pain from sitting at the bar, her knees were giving out, though it seemed like we had no option but to wait there, so we ordered our meal. By the time it was delivered we needed to move, but they had given away our table. They were able to get us a table inside (after much back-and-forth) and the process of moving was somewhat awkward. In all, I hope they can step back and think about what their broader goals are, because in many ways, as the kids say, "this ain't it."

We came here a while ago and sat at the bar. Tonight it was raining so we sat inside at a table. Hubby and I both have diet restrictions. I can't eat beef or dairy. I know! So sad! I was hoping for pork anything. No luck. I ordered the buffalo chicken sandwich as the menu was limited for me. I was informed there may be dairy in the coating. Hopefully, it's only a small amount cuz one more grilled chicken breast and I'll blow (oof) Hubby ordered the salmon and he's diabetic. It comes with probably amazing mashed potatoes but he needs to be good so he tried to sub a salad. They wanted to upcharge $4 and it's already a $27 meal, so he went w the broccoli. Ok. Food comes right out. (Ya, server was great!) Hubby was disappointed at the size of his $27 salmon.. I was hungry so I dove into my plate and only noticed his after a minute or two. Ya.. it was sadly pretty small, but I didn't get a picture. BTW, server just brought me their vegan ranch w my sandwich.. pretty amazing. Overall, it wasn't super fabulous for us. Atmosphere was cool but basic and didn't warrant the $27 price tag for a very small salmon.. if you are a kid w no diet restrictions and looking for a hip place, this definitely will work for you. If you're looking for better diet options I'd check the online menu first. I should mention it's in the city so parking is a consideration. If we hadn't already paid to park we may have just left..

as someone who eats primarily gluten free & dairy free i had this place on my list for a while now. ironically enough i didnt order anything gf or df because the whole menu just looked so good. me and my bf split the ancho grill entree with blackened chicken and the messi a caballo burger with sweet potato fries & side caesar salad. everything was amazing. the black bean cakes were phenomenal. next time we come i do want to try some of their vegan/gf options they sound so yummy. for dessert we split the peanut butter pie which is definitely one of my favorite desserts ever now. its light but flavorful and the crust is perfect.

This is a generous 4 star review. I'm rounding up from 3.5 because I'm thoroughly impressed with the menu. However, what I ordered wasn't fantastic. I stopped here because of their awesome cocktail menu and the plethora of vegan options. While not a vegan myself, my lady is, so I needed to try out the place for the next time we're here together. I had two of their whiskey drinks-the elder fashioned and the Miles Davis. The elder was, as you probably guessed, their take on an old fashioned. It was okay but it was served in a glass full of ice. Unacceptable, especially when the Miles Davis was served with a single big cube. Why wouldn't you have served your old fashioned the same way? Anyway, the Miles Davis-made with coffee pecan bitters and a bock peppercorn simple syrup was the better of the two. Much better. For dinner I started with the nachos-all vegan. No sour cream and made with vegan cheese and vegan crumbles. These were good. Far from the best vegan nachos that I've had but still good. For my entree I had the San Diego chicken. You'd think a chicken breast stuffed with crab, corn and smoked Gouda in a spicy tomato tequila sauce would have been awesome. It should have been. But it was just good. Nothing wrong with it-but it didn't stand out like you would think it would. The restaurant itself is very dark inside-they do have a patio with some tables but I didn't see anyone outside. It's also a bit loud. Not really a romantic date spot but maybe a fun date spot for an average Friday or Saturday or, since this is a college town, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday night on the town. Anyway, their extensive vegan menu means I'll be back with the lady. This was a slightly above average meal, but they do deserve extra credit for all of the different dietary restriction options they have. Hoping other items on the menu are more memorable than what I got.

Old school, slightly funky decor, a nice alternative to the chrome & formica strip center dining decor. It was a busy evening and service was attentive. Good assortment of flavors leaning toward vegetarian possible dishes. In other words, add your protein of choice, and tofu is an option for many of the dishes. All of our meals were very good, and their prices were not abusive.

Let me start off by saying people absolutely love The Top. Because of this I've tried it several times over several years. Generally, I'll go when "the group" all decides on The Top. My problem with The Top is that there's been absolutely nothing I've eaten that I thought to myself "wow, this is good" or "this tastes excellent!" Everything I've ever had has been "fine." Nothing better, nothing worse. If you're going to deal with parking downtown and all that comes with a visit to downtown, the food should be "great," "awesome," or "wow." Service is also "fine." I've had some prejudging of the group I'm with, but that's everywhere.

Very good portions , a lot of options and a very cozy outdoor sitting area. Gives a really unique taste of downtown Gainesville.

Everyone in Gainesville knows The Top is the top-- it's always packed for a reason, and I personally enjoy being seated on the back outdoor patio. I'm a sucker for a nice breeze and a mood-setting string of white lights. What makes The Top so special? Most importantly, the food is great, but it also has a unique, very cool atmosphere with a highly professional and informed waitstaff. I might be considered boring in so far as what I've tried and love from the menu, so sorry! But I love the fried tofu and fried chicken strips from the appetizer section-- I have made that a meal by itself a couple of times. Then I absolutely love the build your own burger. I don't eat beef, but I love love love chicken sandwiches and cheese. I have most certainly tried multiple variations of chicken sandwiches with different sauces, cheeses, and toppings-- they offer various "burger" styles where you just pick the meat or vegan option. And FYI: my mother had a pricy seafood entree once and said it was to die for. The last time I went, I ordered one of only two pasta entree offerings on the menu. Ever since the incredible Francesca's closed due to the pandemic, there has not been a great, original (imo) Italian restaurant in Gainesville. So I took a chance at The Top, I don't recall the name of the dish, but it had delicious al dente noodles and fresh tomatoes and garlic-- it was refreshing and quite good! I thought, "fantastic. Now I have found a place that can at least satisfy the craving of fresh, original Italian food." I do plan on trying another Italian dish the next time I visit. The Top is a wonderful place. Expect and plan for a wait for a table. You'll have a nice time and a delicious meal at a fair price.

Hands down my favorite place to eat in Gainesville. A varied, well-made menu with high quality ingredients and fantastic cooking. My favorite appetizer is easily the Garlic and Goat, with the Corn Nuggets serving as a great snack if I'm at the outside bar out back. Speaking of the bar, it's also one of my favorite in Gainesville when I want cocktails. Whether you're the kind of person to go for an Old Fashioned or a Cosmo, there's cocktails of all types. My favorite is the Saladita, a spicy cocktail with Vida and honey. The service here is good, they don't take reservations, but when you leave your name on the list they'll text you, so you can pass the time around the rest of downtown if the wait is long, but even at peak times it's never unreasonable, and I think the longest I've waited was 1 hour on a Friday Night in the fall. The vibe here is also fantastic. Great Weird Gainesville eccentricity with nearly tacky Americana decorations combined with art deco of days past. It's never too loud in the restaurant or the patio out back, and there's two bars, giving you a variety prepared for North Florida's varying temperaments of weather.

Excellent food and service. Seems under the radar on the restaurant scene but we consistently go back. Love this place and know I will be there many times each month.

We were looking for a place to eat outdoors since the weather was nice and the next week is looking cold (for Florida). We saw the great reviews and stopped here. The interior is super cool and funky - I would hang here if I were a local. We were escorted to the equally fun outdoor patio and seated at a raised picnic table along the fence. Our server Juan was very friendly and attentive (as was his trainee) - they did a good job of anticipating our needs. We started off with some beers - must have been happy hour because they were a $1 off the menu price. Nice. I ordered their fried chicken sandwich with a spicy mayo - it was very good and very moist.The bun was soft. I opted for extra mayo for both the sandwich and fries. The fries were the only disappointment - just warm and a bit chewy. My wife had the Caesar salad with pecan crusted tofu it was very tasty. She liked it alot. Overall a great vibe and great food!

I've been meaning to come to The Top for several months but heard they were always crowded and had a very long wait time. We decided to take our chances on a Friday at 5:30 pm. Good decision because we were able to get a table immediately, although outside seating would've been 25-30 minutes. Getting our first drink took a little bit of time, about 13 minutes. Once our server started she was very attentive and service time was no longer an issue. They have a nice selection of drinks with a full bar. We made it during happy hour so that was a nice surprise. The drinks we ordered were made perfect, but they don't serve Bloody Mary's. She made that clear as soon as my husband ordered one. I didn't know this, but the menu has a lot of vegetarian selections. For appetizers we got the kimchee cauliflower and the goat cheese with olives and bread (can't remember the name). I'm good with or without meat but chose the stuffed chicken breast with crab. It was a hard decision between that and the eggplant dish. My husband got the bowtie pasta, which was surprising because he is a big meat eater. He loved it and said everything was cooked perfectly. We were very happy with the ambiance, the service, and the excellent food.

Great food, drinks, and ambiance! Seared tuna, old fashioned, burger, and chimnuriah were all awesome.

Love love love The Top!! One of my favorites is the garlic and goat starter. They make great drinks. Although, they really need the square or spherical ice for Old Fashioneds. Dragonfly superceeds them in Old Fashioneds. Love the ambiance and dark lighting. Great crowds flow through. The service is always outstanding. Have fun there!!

Three stars because I like the vibe of the place, and the beer list is better than average. Food, though? No. I ordered the "eggplant rollatini," which reads great from the menu. What I got was just a very bland, mushy mess of eggplant, spaghetti squash and ricotta cheese (vegan). The marinara wasn't seasoned at all. I ate about half because I was starving, but gave up quickly because it just isn't a good dish. (I seriously believe it should be struck from the menu.) The side salad saved me. Other people in my party seemed to enjoy their orders. I must've picked the wrong dish.

My daughter and I are vegan and we LOVE the fried pickles with vegan ranch and the vegan Caesar with blackened tofu. Everything that's vegan that we've tried has been good. We don't always get great service (in fact the best service we've received was when we sat at the bar). However we still go whenever I'm in town because of the great vegan options.

Great menu, delicious drinks and choices of both inside and outside dining. Service had been solid both times.